The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction and Perceived Health and Sexuality in Individuals Diagnosed with a Physical Illness

Abstract

Chronic illnesses have negative effects on individuals' perception of health and thus on their life satisfaction by restricting their physical, emotional, social, and sexual functions. In individuals with a chronic disease, it is important to determine life satisfaction that covers their entire life and relevant factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2014 and June 2014 in Bandirma. The study aims to investigate the relationship between life satisfaction and perception of health and sexuality in individuals diagnosed with a chronic physical illness. The sample of the study consisted of 220 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Nottingham Health Profile and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. To evaluate the data, descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used. The participants' perception of health was good, but life satisfaction levels were moderate. Of the participants, 89.5 % experienced sexual dysfunction. Their life satisfaction was affected by the perception of health, but not by sexuality. The level of sexual functioning significantly affected perceptions of health. Therefore, while providing care for individuals with a chronic disease, nurses should be attentive to life satisfaction and the factors affecting life satisfaction and should carefully assess them.